Iḷisaġvik College is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), outlining a pathway for students transferring into the Health Information Management (HIM) Program. The pathway will allow Iḷisaġvik students to transfer the maximum number of credit hours when they move into the UAS program.

UAS Sitka’s HIM Program prepares students for a fast-paced, high- paying, in-demand field that offers the chance to blend an interest in medicine with the multifaceted information management challenges of tomorrow. The HIM Program at UAS is the only Alaska program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education.

Iḷisaġvik College offers a certificate in medical coding as part of its Allied Health Program. This agreement will enable interested students to transfer up to 27 eligible credits. The UAS Sitka Associate of Applied Science in HIM requires 62 credit hours to complete and is offered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

“We are always trying to make the transition as smooth as possible for our students who want to continue their education beyond what we offer at Iḷisaġvik,” said Iḷisaġvik president Justina Wilhelm. “We’re excited to offer a clear pathway into this dynamic and in-demand career.”

UAS echoed the sentiment, saying in a statement, “The University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus is thrilled to formalize this pathway with Iḷisaġvik College. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to student success, creating a seamless transition for students seeking to advance their careers in the high-demand field of health information management. The collaboration not only benefits our students but also strengthens Alaska’s healthcare workforce, ensuring they are well- prepared to enter the HIM workforce through the only accredited program in Alaska.”

The new agreement is just part of the ongoing relationship between Iḷisaġvik and the University of Alaska system. The college has an existing agreement with UAF for liberal arts students entering the UAF education program, as well as an agreement with the UAF College of Business and Security Management.